Across Africa, Innovative founders are transforming waste materials into everyday products, from fashion and accessories to building materials and sustainable consumer goods.
These innovators are turning discarded textiles, plastics, and other waste into valuable items that reduce pollution and create economic opportunities.
Here are the Top 5 African entrepreneurs leading upcycled product innovation in 2025:
— Adejoke Lasisi (Nigeria): Founder of Planet 3R, a social enterprise that transforms textile and plastic waste into eco‑friendly fashion items like bags, mats, and accessories — with a mission that blends sustainability with local craftsmanship.
— Yayra Agbofah (Ghana): Founder of The Revival, an initiative in Accra’s Kantamanto market that upcycles unsellable garments and textile waste into fresh fashion pieces and accessories while supporting circular fashion practices.
— Nkwo Onwuka (Nigeria): Founder of NKWO, known for Dakala cloth, a handwoven textile created from reclaimed denim and cotton scraps, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern sustainable design.
— Yewande Akinse (Nigeria): Co‑founder of Salubata, a sustainable fashion company turning plastic waste into customizable, stylish footwear, pushing the boundaries of circular design in Africa’s fashion ecosystem.
— Selina Beb (Cameroon): Founder of Selina Beb Fashion, known for upcycling discarded fabrics into fashion products.
These entrepreneurs demonstrate how African creativity can convert waste into value. By building businesses around upcycled materials, they’re reshaping manufacturing, reducing environmental impact, and promoting a more sustainable economic future across the continent.
Selection focused on verified African founders working with upcycled materials or circular product design across Africa as of 2024–2025. Criteria included innovation, sustainability impact, and contribution to the continent’s growing circular economy.
Image Credit: Freepik
